Dr. Aleksandra Pivec was born in 26 March 1972 in Ptuj. In 1999 she graduated from the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the University of Ljubljana, where she later obtained her PhD degree in chemical engineering, writing her thesis on the subject of the optimisation of wine fermentation processes.

In September 2016 she joined the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Slovenians Abroad, where she held the position of state secretary from September 2017 to September 2018. 

On 13 September 2018 the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia appointed her as the Minister of agriculture, forestry and food.

Atle Hamar (born 1963) is currently State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment of Norway since the 17 January 2018.

Atle Hamar served as Director General for the Norwegian Gaming and Foundation Authority from 2001 until he was appointed State Secretary in 2018..
He served as a board member of the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR) for ten years, in 2007 as Chairman of the Board.

Mr. Hamar has 20 years’ experience with politics and state administration, including serving as deputy minister in the Ministry for Police and Justice Affairs in Norway, and as political advisor in the Ministry for Transport and Communication.

Markus A. K. Sydenham, Ph.D., is a Senior Researcher (Forsker II) with the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA). Sydenham’s research focuses on identifying the mechanisms behind species distributions, and applying this knowledge to preserve biodiversity. He uses wild bees as model organisms for his work and has expertise on their identification, ecology, and conservation. The natural systems focus of his research has been on ‘artificial’ landscape elements such as field margins, power line clearings in forests. Together with colleagues at NINA, he is currently working on developing planning tools for identifying cultural grasslands (“Slåttemarker”) where improving habitat conditions for wild bees will have the greatest effect

David N. Barton, Ph.D., is a Senior Research Scientists with the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA). Barton’s research focuses on the monetary valuation of ecosystem services, integrated ecological economic modelling, risk and decision analysis, payments for ecosystem services and policymix analysis. The natural systems focus of his research has been on urban ecosystems, wetlands, water resources management and forest conservation planning.

ByBi, Oslo’s urban beekeeping association and an environmental organisation, established 2012. Through courses, seminars, honey production and environmental projects, ByBi inspires and educates Oslo’s citizens, from politicians, private corporations and academics to children and urban farmers. Our work spreads knowledge and understanding of the importance of bees for a healthy and green city. We emphasise the importance of biodiversity, social integration and a sustainable flowering city development. ByBi cooperates with the Municipality of Oslo and contributes to reaching several of the UN sustainability goals. ByBi works systematically to increase the bee-friendly foodsource and collaborates with the Municipality of Oslo, Norway’s Environmental Agency, urban farmers and researchers such as NINA.